Merrett, Joseph Jenner (1816-1854): [Portrait of Charles Alexander Tylee]

Full-frontal portrait of a young man standing beside a table in contemporary dress, including square-toed shoes, high-waisted trousers with an S-buckled belt, a spotted necktie and a peaked sailor's cap. The carpet covering the floor on which he stands shows a grid pattern, each square containing a simple four-petalled flower. Behind him is an archway through which can be seen the Whanganui River with Shakespeare’s Cliff, a two-masted sailing ship and a rowboat holding four men. The image has an oval pencil-drawn frame immediately surrounding it.

Charles Alexander Tylee was born in Bath, England, the son John Palmer Tylee who was a chemist and friend of the Prince Regent whom he treated, he was under Royal Patronage and displayed the Royal Coat of Arms above his shop. Charles is believed to have come to New Zealand at the age of 20 as a cabin passenger on board the barque Cornwall in 1851; his brother John Thomas Tylee had arrived previously on the Mariner in 1849. John Thomas Tylee built Tylee Cottage, one of the oldest homes in Whanganui; he was commissariat for the 65th Regiment. Little seems to have been known about Charles; he is believed to have died at about 37, from bronchitis.

Inscriptions: Recto - beneath image - For Mother, in case you should not recognise the above person. It is intended for your humble [?] C.A.T [in ink]; Recto - right of image - J Merrett 1852 [in pencil]

Quantity: 1 watercolour(s).

Physical Description: Watercolour, ink and pencil on paper, 530 x 350 mm, in hinged mat 620 x 440 mm

Provenance: Prior to purchase, from an estate directly related to the Tylee family.